Taoiseach to meet Hungarian prime minister in Budapest

The Taoiseach will meet the newly elected Prime Minister of Hungary in Budapest.

Mícheál Martin's meeting with Péter Magyar, who defeated Viktor Orbán in an April election, is part of a programme of engagements with EU leaders ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council.

The presidency starts on 1 July.

Mr Magyar campaigned on a platform targeting corruption and pledging to improve Hungary's relationship with the EU.

"I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Magyar and congratulating him in person on his convincing election victory," the Taoiseach said ahead of the meeting.

The new prime minister has been moving quickly to enhance relations with Europe.

Last week, he secured a political agreement with the European Commission to unfreeze billions of euro in EU funds that had been blocked over concerns about corruption and the erosion of the rule of law.

Mr Martin said he would work "with Prime Minister Magyar to reaffirm Hungary’s place at the heart of our union".

During the meeting it is expected Mr Martin will outline Irish plans to use its presidency of the EU Council to put a focus on improving EU competitiveness, security and negotiating the bloc’s next budget.

Progressing EU enlargement is also an Irish priority and in recent days, Mr Magyar indicated he was optimistic of an agreement with Ukraine on the rights of Hungarian minorities which would potentially allow Hungary to lift its veto on Ukraine's accession talks.

As well as a working lunch with the new prime minister, the Taoiseach will visit the Hungarian Parliament and meet Irish-Hungarian community leaders.

Mr Martin said: "The Irish and Hungarian people have shared a remarkable resilience and have strong cultural and community ties.

"I look forward to discussing how we can further strengthen our connections with the new administration in Budapest."